Friday 11 March 2011

Review: A Lot Like Love - Julie James

As the daughter of a billionaire and the owner of the city’s top wine store, Jordan Rhodes is invited to the most exclusive parties in Chicago. But there’s only one party the FBI wants to crash: the charity fundraiser of a famous restaurateur, who also happens to launder money for the mob. In exchange for her brother’s release from prison, Jordan is going to be there—with a date supplied by the Bureau. As the top undercover agent in Chicago, Nick McCall has one rule: never get personal. This “date” with Jordan Rhodes is merely an assignment—one they’re both determined to pull off even if they can’t be together for five minutes before the sarcasm and sparks begin to fly. But when Nick’s investigation is compromised, he and Jordan have no choice but to pretend they’re a couple, and what starts out as a simple assignment begins to feel a lot like something more..

My thoughts:
This was my first Julie James book and it will not be my last, because this was a good contemporary romance with a bit of suspense on the side.

The heroine here is Jordan, the daughter of a billionaire. But she is no spoiled princess, no her dad told her to work and make her own money and so she did. She can stand on her own feet, she is smart, and what was there not to like. Then there is Nick, a FBI agent who spends most of his time undercover and never makes any promises to women. Not to mention that these two are from two different social classes. But put together to play a couple and you know things will happen.

I do like a couple that can't stand each other at first. She is irritated by him, and he thinks she is a silly socialite.  But they get to know each other, they get attracted by each other, and then comes love. A nice romance and a couple you can root for.

I also liked the suspense part. It was not a lot but it was there. What would happen to her brother Kyle in jail? Would they catch the guy laundering money for the mob? And then at the end the tension was building up and something was about to happen...

Throughout the book I hoped that her brother Kyle would get a book, and I did get very happy at the end when it said that he would. That is one book I am looking forward too, and of course reading more Julie James.

Conclusion:
A good contemporary romance that kept me reading. I enjoyed the book, I liked the couple, and at the end I knew that I wanted to read more books by her.

Rating:
Kept me reading

Cover:
I love her dress, but he doesn't look too happy

Reason for reading:
I had heard good things about her books

Info:
Genre: Contemporary romance
Publisher: Berkley
Pages: 304
Published: March 1st 2011

35 comments:

  1. Great review! This author is so popular. I need to read a Julie James book soon!!

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  2. I just spotted this book on another blog so I'm glad you posted your review! Sounds wonderful. I'll have to pick it up.

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  3. SOunds like a great book and I really like the cover too.

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  4. Glad you liked it. I have a couple of her books on the shelf but haven't read them yet. Moving them up the TBR list now :)

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  5. Sometimes romance plots tend to start sounding the same, but I do like "sarcasm and sparks."

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  6. I'm also a fan of couples that hate each other at first. They are just so fun to read about.

    I haven't read anything by JJ yet, but this book sounds like it would be a good one to start with.

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  7. I've heard a lot about Julie James but still haven't managed to read any of her books! Looks like I should do that soon.

    Meghan @ Medieval Bookworm

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  8. She looks like she is perhaps saying - please don't step on my toe. :)

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  9. I've GOT to read this author! I've had her on my TB list forever. And it's been forever since I read a straight contempory. Glad you enjoyed this one, Blodeuedd!

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  10. I don't read many contemporaries but i think i'll grab this one the next time i'm in the mood!

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  11. @FV
    I think it was last winter that I first really wanted to read a book by her, and I am glad I finally did

    @Linda
    It was fun, it was light and it was good :D

    @Jenny
    I would love that dress, so pretty

    @Mary
    Ohhh yes move them up so I can see if they are good ;)

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  12. @Carol
    True, they do tend to take the same road. But sarcasm always spice things up

    @Missie
    It just so much more fun to see them fall in love :)
    All her books seem pretty good, I have my eye on her first one

    @Meghan
    Go ahead :) A do like contemporary romance, a bit of sweet HEA in modern times

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  13. @Shellie
    LOL. It does look like she is saying something and he is not keeping attention

    @VFG
    Forever since is not good, you better read a normal modern romance then and she is good to get back in the game with

    @Carrie
    I didn't either before this year, but it has sure been fun reading them again

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  14. I've read two of her previous books, and they were excellent.

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  15. Oh this book sounds like a really fun romance!

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  16. Oh I love that dress too. I've been thinking about this one since I don't read too many contemps in this genre and I've gotten good reviews. If it makes you want to read more of her books, that is a good reason to move it higher on the wishlist!

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  17. Sounds very good. Julie James sounds like an author to look for. Great review ;)

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  18. @Chris
    I do wanna read those too now :)

    @Amused
    It was, I highly recommend it

    @Melissa
    I am so eyeing her first book written, so yes it sure made me wanna read more :D

    @Naida
    Thanks!
    She is a good writer

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  19. I also love when a couple doesn't like each at first and then sparks fly.

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  20. Read more for sure! Julie James is awesome! Her first two books have a slightly different tone than her last two books. The first two don't have that suspense mixed in really - they are just cute and fun romance stories. Enjoy!

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  21. He looks very serious!! ;)

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  22. Lovely Review as always B. I'm so happy you enjoyed Julie's book. She is a favorite author of mine and her books are in fact re-reads which I rarely have time for these days.

    I hope you do enjoy more of her stories.

    Best
    L

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  23. Julie James is currently one of my favorite contemporary romance authors and I've really been looking forward to reading this book. I very much enjoyed her others and I definitely think you will as well.

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  24. This book was already on my radar, but now with your stamp of approval I'll definitely have to pick it up. Great review! :)

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  25. DC
    It just makes it so much more interesting.

    Julie
    >I had a look at her 3 books and the first one sounds so for me. I mean the next two sounds good too but that first :D

    Nina
    He sure does, I guess it's cos he is an agent, and on duty. but who knows, lol

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  26. @Lea
    I do think that it was at your place I saw one of her books for the first time, and I just could not forget it :)

    @Simcha
    If you liked the rest then I am pretty sure that you will enjoy this one too

    @Janna
    Pick it up and enjoy :D

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  27. Excellent. It sounds like this is where I need to start my Julie James reading.

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  28. This is right up my alley. I have it on my shopping list. Great review!

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  29. I've never read anything by this author, but I swear you make me want to stretch my comfort zones all the time! :)

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  30. I like contemporary romance and this sounds like a good one, but I do not care for that cover at all!!

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  31. I have read another review about this book a little while ago. Time to go in search of it ...I also like the story line from dislike to love.

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  32. @Alisha
    That sounds like an excellent idea

    @Yvonne
    I do think you would enjoy it a lot :D

    @Melissa
    Hihi, well that is my plan :) It was a good book and checking out other genres are always fun

    @Staci
    I kind of feel that it's pretty but at the same thing something is off when you look closer

    @Aurian
    Search away. It was a very enjoyable book

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  33. You've read like every author that I want to read! This one sounds good.

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  34. I just started reading JJ's books and I'm hooked too. Like you, I like reading books where the hero and heroine don't start off madly in love. I like tension!

    Great review! I just got this book the other day and I can't wait to read it :)

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  35. Mishel
    I do try to try everything I find and want :D

    Book V
    I hope you enjoy it :) Cos it sure a trope that works for me. Tension can be so much fun

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